Storage container for recorded media

ABSTRACT

A retaining device for a disc-shaped item of recorded media includes at least one arm that projects through the central opening of the disc with a locking finger that engages the upper edge of the disc. The disc is released when the user pushes downwardly on the retaining device to collapse the arm through the central opening of the disc to release the disc. The downward force on the device forces portions of the retaining device below the bottom wall of the container. When the downward force is released, the arms engage the lower inner edge of the disc and hold the disc on top of the retaining device. The invention also provides a disc-holding page that snaps into the lid of the container to allow a second disc to be stored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional application claiming priorityfrom U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/081,332 filed Feb. 20, 2002which claimed priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/270,041 filed Feb. 20, 2001; the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to storage containers forrecorded media and, more particularly, to a storage container having aretaining device that selectively retains one or more disc-shaped itemsof recorded media. The retaining device of the present inventionsecurely holds the item of recorded media while allowing it to bereleased when the user presses down on the retaining device.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] CDs and DVDs are currently the preferred medium for storing mediafor distribution to consumers. Numerous storage containers have beendeveloped to hold the discs during shipping, display for sale, andsubsequent home storage. Most of these storage containers utilize sometype of center hub having fingers that pass through the central openingof the disc to retain the disc. Most existing storage container aredesigned to hold only a single disc. Other storage containers aredesigned to hold multiple discs. The art desires a storage containerthat can be selectively configured to hold one or more discs.

[0006] As DVDs have increased in popularity, different types of pushbutton hubs have been developed that release the DVD when the hub isdepressed and released. One of the more popular push button hubs isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068. As shown in FIG. 11 of thispatent, the disclosed hub functions by depressing or flexing the centerof the disc downwardly until the disc pops off of the locking fingers.Although the removal action functions well, the removal action alsoundesirably stresses the disc when the center of the disc is beingflexed downwardly. The art desires a push button hub that does not flexthe disc while it is being removed.

[0007] Other push button hubs include levered arms that pivot upwardlyto push the center of the disc upwardly when a portion of the hub isdepressed. While these types of hubs are effective when properlydesigned and manufactured, the levered arms lose their resiliency overtime. The living hinges can also lose their working range after manyuses. An example of this type of device is shown in German reference DE3425579. The device disclosed in this patent retains the disc with acentral hub having a lip. A plurality of spring members are disposedabout the central hub and are configured to resiliently engage thebottom surface of the disc when the disc is stored on the hub. The discis thus trapped between the spring members and the lip during storage.The disc is released by depressing the center button which collapsesinto the central hole of the disc. Once the lip of the hub is movedinwardly, the spring members push the disc up to a position where it maybe removed from the storage container. Other embodiments disclosed inthe German publication utilize lever arms that lift the disc off of theretaining hub when the center button is depressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides a retaining device for a disc-shaped itemof recorded media. The retaining device includes at least one arm thatprojects through the central opening of the disc. The arm includes alocking finger that engages the upper inner edge of the disc to hold thedisc on the retaining device. The disc is released when the user pushesdownwardly on the retaining device. When the device is pushed down, thearm is collapsed through the central opening of the disc to release thedisc.

[0009] The downward force on the device forces portions of the retainingdevice below the bottom wall of the container. These members lift theother members of the container upwardly to lift the disc when thecontainer is used on a surface. When the downward force is released, thearms engage the lower inner edge of the disc and hold the disc on top ofthe retaining device.

[0010] In one embodiment, the invention provides a retaining devicehaving a bridge with an arm and a push button connected to the bridge.The arm is spaced from the push button. The arm is adapted to engage anitem of recorded media when resting and disengage the item of recordedmedia when the push button is depressed.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is the ability of thestorage container to be selectively configured to hold multiple discs.The invention provides a disc-holding page that snaps into the lid ofthe container to allow a second disc to be stored opposite the disccarried by the base of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the storage container for recordedmedia including a retaining device.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the retaining device.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with portions broken away,showing a disc retained on the retaining device.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a downward force beingapplied to the retaining device.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the retaining arms ofthe retaining device being collapsed through the central hole of thedisc.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the retaining devicereturning to its resting position.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the disc in a releasedposition on the retaining device.

[0022]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the storage containerconfigured to hold a second disc.

[0023]FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 11.

[0024]FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

[0025]FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the disc retainingpage pivoted to an upright position.

[0026] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout thespecification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] An embodiment of the storage container for an item of recordedmedia made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention isdepicted in the accompanying drawings and is indicated generally by thenumeral 10. Storage container 10 includes a base 12 that is hingedlyattached to a lid 14. In the embodiment of the present inventiondepicted in the drawings, the hinged connection between base 12 and lid14 is formed by a back wall 16 and a pair of continuous living hinges18. Base 12 includes a sidewall 20 that extends about the three sides(two sides and the front) of base 12 not attached to living hinge 18.Lid 14 includes a corresponding sidewall 22 that engages sidewall 20when lid 14 is closed. Sidewalls 20 and 22 may abut each other to form amedial line of separation between lid 14 and base 12. In otherembodiments, sidewalls 20 and 22 may overlap to form a double thicknesssidewall. Lid 14 also includes literature clips 26 that are configuredto hold literature books in lid 14. Container 10 may be fabricated fromany of a wide variety of materials but it is preferred that it befabricated from a plastic strong enough to resist breaking when droppedduring a drop test.

[0028] An item of recorded media 30 may be securely retained in storagecontainer 10 through the engagement of a retaining device or hub 32 withitem 30. Item 30 may be a CD or a DVD but it is to be understood thatretaining device 32 may be used to store other items 30 having openings34 (FIG. 8) that are used to retain the item. As will be described indetail below, retaining hub 32 securely retains media 30 in storagecontainer 10 without creating bending forces in media 30 during loadingof media 30 onto retaining hub 32, during storage of media 30 incontainer 10 as depicted in FIG. 2, or during removal of media 30 fromstorage case 10.

[0029] Base 12 includes a substantially planar bottom wall 40 thatextends between retaining hub 32 and an outer wall 42 that substantiallysurrounds retaining device 32. Outer wall 42 extends upwardly from basewall 40 an defines an upper surface 44 disposed below the outer edge ofitem 30. As may be perhaps best seen in FIG. 1, annular outer wall 42may extend entirely about the area where item 30 is received and issubstantially circular in shape.

[0030] Annular outer wall 42 has an upper surface 44 on which the lowersurface 46 of item 30 engages when item 30 is being removed fromretaining device 32 as depicted in FIG. 7. In the storage positiondepicted in FIG. 6, bottom surface 46 is disposed above surface 44. Inother embodiments of the invention, surface 44 supports surface 46 whendisc 30 is in the storage position. Annular outer wall 42 is sized andconfigured such that the contact between upper surface 44 and lowersurface 46 does not extend into the area of item 30 that includesrecorded information. Annular outer wall 42 thus prevents the outerportion of item 30 from being moved lower than upper surface 44.

[0031] A blocking wall 48 extends upwardly from upper surface 44 ofouter wall 42 radially outside the outer radial dimension of disc 30.Blocking wall 48 is thus positioned such that it does not contact disc30 when disc 30 is retained by device 32. Blocking wall 48 has a heightsubstantially equal to or greater than the thickness of disc 30 suchthat a person cannot easily, if at all, grasp the edge of disc 30 whendisc 30 is in the storage position depicted in FIG. 6. There are,however, finger access openings 50 formed in wall 42 where the height ofblocking wall 48 is somewhat less than the thickness of disc 30. Fingeraccess openings 50 are not intended to allow a person to grasp the edgeof disc 30 when disc 30 is in the storage position. Finger accessopenings 50 allow a person to easily grasp the edge of disc 30 when disc30 is in the released position depicted in FIG. 10. As such, blockingwall 48 prevents a person from grasping an edge of disc 30 and pullingupwardly. Such a practice is common when removing a compact disc from acompact disc storage container. If performed on a DVD held in storagecontainer 10, retaining hub 32 would maintain its engagement with theDVD and the upward force at its edge would likely break or otherwisedamage the DVD by creating a large bending force. It may thus beunderstood that annular outer wall 42 and blocking wall 48 prevent theremoval of disc 30 without first removing disc 30 from retaining device32.

[0032] As noted above, storage container 10 includes retaining device 32that extends upwardly from base wall 40. Retaining device 32 isconfigured to retain disc 30 until device 32 is subjected to a downwardforce which is subsequently released. The downward force causes device32 to collapse inwardly and downwardly to completely release disc 30.The downward force also causes portions of retaining device 32 to dropbelow the lower surface of bottom wall 30 causing outer wall 42 to moveupwardly to lift disc 30 when bottom wall 40 is disposed on a flatsurface. When the force is removed, hub 32 contacts disc 30 and lifts itinto the position depicted in FIG. 10 where it may be removed. Retaininghub 32 is also configured to retain disc 30 in a manner such that it mayfreely rotate on hub 32 in the storage position depicted in FIG. 6.

[0033] Retaining hub 32 includes a center button 60 that includes adownwardly extending sidewall 62 that has an upper end 64 and a lowerend 66. Center button 60 may have rounded edges to provide comfort tothose using storage container 10. Sidewall 62 projects up from a bridge70 that extends up from opposed portions of bottom wall 40 at first 72and second 74 ends. Bridge 70 thus includes ends 72 and 74, a pair ofupwardly projecting walls 76, and an upper wall 78. Each end 72 and 74is a portion of bottom wall 40 that has been sectioned off by slots 80such that the edges of ends 72 and 74 are spaced from bottom wall 40 byslots 80. Each end 72 and 74 has a thickness that may be less than thethickness of bottom wall 40. Each projecting wall 76 may also have areduced thickness compared to wall 78 and bottom wall 40.

[0034] Slots 80 may be substantially parallel across device 32 or mayinclude curved sections 82 at upper wall 78.

[0035] Device 32 includes fixed supports 90 disposed radially outwardlyof slots 80. Fixed supports 90 have an upper surface disposed at thesame level as the upper surface of upper wall 78. Fixed supports 90prevent the center of disc 30 from being depressed when bridge 70 ispushed downwardly.

[0036] Upper wall 78 may include raised bumps 92 that minimize frictionbetween surface 46 of disc 30 and device 32. When bumps 92 are used, thelower surface 46 of disc 30 is raised above surface 44 and fixedsupports 90 when disc 30 is in the resting or storage position depictedin FIG. 6.

[0037] Device 32 further includes a pair of arms 100 that are eachcantilevered from upper wall 78 of bridge 70. Arms 100 are disposed onopposite sides of button 60 and are spaced from button 60 (and sidewall62) so that arms 100 may move independent of button 60. Arms 100 areconfigured to move inwardly (toward each other) relative to button 60when bridge 70 is pushed down. Arms 100 may be disposed in an opening102 defined by button 60 and wall 62. Each opening 102 may be curved todefine a curved opening to receive arm 100.

[0038] The upper wall 104 of each arm 100 is disposed lower than button60 so that upper wall 104 may slide under button 60 as shown in FIG. 8.The sidewall 106 of arm 100 includes a locking finger 108 that latchesover the top edge of disc 30 to retain disc 30 on retaining device 32.Each sidewall 106 of arm 100 is cantilevered from upper wall 78 by apair of lever arms 110 disposed on either side of an opening 112.Openings 102 extend as slots into upper wall 78 on the other side ofeach lever arm 110 from opening 112.

[0039] When a person wants to remove disc 30 from storage container 10,the person creates a downward force on center button 60 causing hingedarms 100 to collapse inwardly and downwardly causing fingers 108 todisengage the upper inner edge of disc 30. FIG. 6 shows the storageposition. When the force initially acts on button 60, the entire disc 30moves downwardly with bridge 70 until disc 30 engages wall 44 and fixedsupports 90. In other embodiments of the invention, disc 30 does nothave to move down because it is resting on wall 44 in the storageposition.

[0040] As button 60 is pushed farther down, arms 100 collapse inwardlyas shown in FIG. 7. Button 60 may be pushed all the way down so that theupper surface of button 60 is disposed below fixed supports 90. In thisposition, disc 30 is released by device 32 and is free to be removed.

[0041] When base 12 is disposed on a surface when button 60 is pusheddown, the lower corners 120 of bridge 70 (FIG. 8) engage the surface andat least one portion of base 12 such as a portion of wall 42 movesupwardly to raise disc 30. When bridge 70 is released, fingers 108engage disc 30 to hold it in a position where it can be removed asdepicted in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0042] Almost no bending forces are experienced by disc 30 duringremoval of disc 30 from storage container 10. Bending forces areprevented because disc 30 is supported during the collapse of bridge 70and because arms 100 collapse inwardly without engaging disc 30.

[0043] The second embodiment of the storage container of the presentinvention is indicated generally by the numeral 200 in FIGS. 11-14.Storage container 200 includes base 12 as described above and a lid 202that is connected to base 12 with hinges 18 as described above. Lid 202differs from lid 14 in that lid 202 is configured to selectively receivea disc-holding page 206 that allows container 200 to be selectivelyconfigured to hold a second item of recorded media. In the exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the literature clips 204 of lid 202 areconfigured to selectively receive a disc-holding page 206. In otherembodiments of the invention, the clips that hold page 206 may be spacedfrom clips 204 and may be positioned along the front wall, the hingewall, or either sidewall of lid 202.

[0044] Disc-holding page 206 includes a retaining device 32 similar tothat described above with respect to the first embodiment of theinvention. Page 206 may also include any of a variety of other hubsknown in the art. In some embodiments, the overall height of retainingdevice 32 may have to be lowered so that the hub 32 carried by page 206does not interfere with device 32 carried by base 12.

[0045] Page 206 includes at least one leg 208 that is engaged by aliterature clip 204 to retain page 206 on lid 202. Leg 208 may bedisposed in a slot 210 formed by portions of literature clip 204 asdepicted in the drawings. Leg 208 may also be retained under literatureclip 204 between the bottom wall 212 of lid 202 and a portion ofliterature clip 204. Leg 208 may also be disposed in an opening definedby literature clip 204.

[0046] In the embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, leg208 includes a pin 220 that is snap-fit into a recess 210 definedbetween first 222 and second 224 walls of literature clip 204. Thisconfiguration allows pins 220 to be snapped down into clips 204 fromabove in a tight snap-fit connection that prevents page 206 from readilyfalling out of lid 202. This configuration also allows page 206 to pivotupwardly with respect to bottom wall 212 as depicted in FIG. 14.

[0047] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used forbrevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are tobe implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art becausesuch terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to bebroadly construed.

[0048] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A storage container for holding first and second items of recordedmedia; the storage container comprising: a base; a first retainingdevice connected to the base; the first retaining device adapted to holdthe first item of recorded media; a lid hingedly connected to the base;the lid being movable between open and closed positions; a pair ofliterature clips connected to the lid; a page connected to theliterature clips; and a second retaining device connected to the page;the second retaining device adapted to hold the second item of recordedmedia adjacent the page.
 2. The storage container of claim 1, whereinthe page includes legs that engage the literature clips to connect thepage with the literature clips.
 3. The storage container of claim 2,wherein each of the literature clips defines a slot; each leg beingdisposed in one of the slots.
 4. The storage container of claim 3,wherein the legs are snap fit into the slots.
 5. The storage containerof claim 4, wherein each of the legs includes a pin that engages theliterature clip.
 6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the firstretaining device has a first height; the second retaining device has asecond height; the first height being larger than the second height. 7.The storage container of claim 1, wherein each of the retaining devicesis adapted to hold a disc-shaped item of recorded media.
 8. The storagecontainer of claim 7, wherein each retaining device is a pushbutton-type retaining device.
 9. The storage container of claim 1,wherein the page is pivotally carried on the lid by the pair ofliterature clips.
 10. A storage container for recorded media; thecontainer comprising: a base; a lid hingedly connected to the base; aliterature clip connected to the lid; a page connected to the literatureclip; and a retaining device connected to the page; the second retainingdevice adapted to hold an item of recorded media on the page.
 11. Thestorage container of claim 10, wherein the page is pivotally connectedto the literature clip.
 12. The storage container of claim 11, whereinthe lid is connected to the base with a hinge; the lid having opposededges with one edge disposed adjacent the hinge; the literature clipbeing disposed adjacent the edge opposite the hinge.
 13. The storagecontainer of claim 10, wherein a portion of the page is disposed underthe literature clip.
 14. The storage container of claim 10, wherein aportion of the page is snap fit into a portion of the literature clip.15. The storage container of claim 10, wherein the literature clipdefines a slot; a portion of the page being disposed in the slot. 16.The storage container of claim 15, wherein the page includes a leg thatis snap fit into the slot.